Bell settles with CRTC on activities of authorized telemarketing companies
and use of automated calling devices

OTTAWA, Dec. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced that it has reached a settlement with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/vt101220.htm, acknowledging that third-party telemarketers acting on behalf of Bell placed calls to numbers registered on the National Do Not Call List (NDNCL) and Bell's Internal Do Not Call List. Under the terms of the settlement, Bell agreed to pay a penalty of $1.3 million and enhance its management of authorized independent telemarketers.

Bell takes its obligations under the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and the National Do Not Call List seriously. The company worked closely with the CRTC to investigate complaints, determining that some independent telemarketers acting on behalf of Bell were found to have violated both the CRTC's and Bell's own calling rules. No violations were committed by any Bell-operated call centres.

Bell has implemented a series of remedial measures in order to ensure strict compliance by authorized independent telemarketers with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules, the National Do Not Call List and Bell's Internal Do Not Call List. Telemarketers are expressly prohibited from calling numbers that are on these lists.

Bell has terminated its relationships with two telemarketers and suspended several others due to non-compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. Non-compliance with CRTC or Bell calling rules by third-party telemarketers results in immediate corrective action by Bell, up to and including suspension and termination of their contracts.

Bell has also agreed to donate $266,000 to Montréal's Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering (CIISE) in response to CRTC concerns about Bell Mobility's use of automated calling devices. Like other Canadian wireless carriers, Bell Mobility used these devices to alert prepaid mobile customers about their account balances and how they could avoid service interruptions by purchasing additional minutes.

While Bell believes this approach benefits customers and is in compliance with the CRTC rules on the use of automated calling devices, and the CRTC has not issued a formal finding of violation, Bell has agreed to change its processes.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services.

The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit www.bce.ca/mentalhealth.

Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell product and service information, please visit www.bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit www.bce.ca.

For further information:

Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
[phone]
[email protected]

Thane Fotopoulos
BCE Investor Relations
[phone]
[email protected]a